top ten eco-friendly gift ideas for pets

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Oct 242012
 

If you are holiday shopping for a four-legged friend, you have found yourself in the right place. We hand selected our best and most exciting products to make this list of top ten eco-friendly gift ideas for your pets. Don’t leave fur children off your shopping list. Check out our select items below and browse over the GreenCupboards site for more ideas.

Nina Ottosson Dog Fighter

  • Nina Ottosson Dog Fighter: Make your dog work for a treat with this game. The Nina Ottosson dog game allows you to hide a treat inside of moving blocks.  Dogs are forced to interact with the toy using their paw or nose in order to move wood pieces to get a treat. Challenge your canine’s brain with the Nina Ottosson Dog Fighter. 49.95

West Paw Design Hurley

  • West Paw Design Hurley: Make fetch special with this West Paw Design toy. The bright color makes the ball easy to be found after a good toss. This recyclable fetch toy will not retain bite marks. You can even play with the Hurley at the lake, as it is buoyant. This toy can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.  $13.60

West Paw Design Bumper Bed

  • West Paw Design Bumper Bed: Give your canine some lounging space this holiday season with a West Paw Designs medium bumper. Your dog will love to curl up in this comfy cot. Available in a variety of colors to match your dog’s style. The filling is made from recycled materials. $76.99

Planet Dog Help Harness

  • Planet Dog Cozy Hemp Adjustable Harness: Neck collars can be to rough for a sensitive or restless dog, leash your dog right with a cozy hemp adjustable harness made by Planet Dog. Fleece lining makes this harness comfortable for your canine. Available in a variety of naturally dyed colors. Made of all non-toxic materials and machine washable. $23.99

Planet Dog Wood Chuck

  • Planet Dog Wood Chuck with Recycle Ball: Test your dogs endurance and skill with this quality wood chuck and ball made by Planet Dog. The ball is made from recycled materials and the chuck is made from bamboo. Get the distance your dog desires with this extreme fetch kit. The Planet Dog Wood Chuck with Recycled Ball is proudly made in the USA. 22.99

Planet Dog Obee Tuff Whistle Ball

  • Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Whistle Ball: This toy is sure to become one of your dogs new favorites. It is glow in the dark for night play, floats for lake play and whistles for optimal interaction with your pet. The Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Whistle Ball does it all. Great for a dog that is easily bored with its toys. Made in the USA with recycled non-toxic materials. $14.99

Nina Ottosson Dog Pyramid

  • Nina Ottosson Dog Pyramid: Tease your pet with Nina Ottersons’ Dog Pyramids. With a weight based, this toy is impossible to knock down and great for both dogs and cats. You can fill the dog pyramid with your pet’s favorite treats and they’ll have to knock the toy around to get the treats out. The pyramid has a weighted bottom giving it a signature wobble, if its bent over enough treats will fall from the hole in the top. The Nina Ottosson Dog Pyramid is fully recyclable. $24.95

Dog Rocks

  • Dog Rocks: Protect your lawn from canine urine damage with Dog Rocks, which prevent lawn burn patches. 100% natural these lawn rocks work with nature to keep your lawn looking fresh. The Dog Rocks act as a fertilizer for your lawn and last for two months. Keep your dog and keep your lawn in tact too with Dog Rocks.  $16.99

Pawz Water Proof Boot

  • Pawz  Water-Proof Dog Boot: Give your dog comfort and security with a dog boot. The one and only disposable water proof dog boot by Pawz. If your worried about muddy paws or your canine doesn’t like the ground’s environment you can strap him into these dog boots. They are easy to put on and have a secure fit. 100% biodegradable, these dog boots come in a pack of 12. $14.00

West Paw Design Cat Lure Caster

  •  West Paw Design Cat Lure Caster: Provide endless entertainment for both you and your cat with this playful Cat Lure Caster by West Paw Design. Featuring a simple pole and fuzzy caterpillar you can tease your feline friend and have him rolling and chasing for hours. Entice your cat with this pleasant toy its sure to love. $13.00

top ten eco-friendly holiday gift ideas for new moms

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Oct 102012
 

Give mommy and baby something unique this Christmas that will benefit them both. GreenCupboads has prepared a list of ten healthy, eco-friendly gift ideas for a new mom and baby. We picked these products from our site to showcase to you because we know they are top-shelf and will be enjoyed by whomever receives it. Browse through these 10 products ideas and find more gift ideas on GreenCupboards.

Keekaroo

  • Keekaroo Height Right High Char: Give your baby a boost with the Keekaroo Height Right High Chair. This high char is adjustable so that it can grow with your child all they way up to 15 years of age or 250 pounds. The Keekaroo High Chair is made of eco-friendly rubber wood and was made proudly in the USA. $30.00

OiOi Diaper Bag

  • OIOI Baby Hobo Sand Dot Bag: They say babies see simple shapes in black and white the best, so you can stimulate your baby’s vision with the OiOi Diaper Bag Sand Dot Hobo while you enjoy this bag’s smart design. The exterior features a glamorous, monochrome dot pattern printed on 100% cotton canvas with a water-resistant finish, while the cream lining and accessories are made from easy-to-clean nylon. Whether you get caught in the rain or are surprised by a different kind of shower, this bag will retain its shape and beauty throughout all the years of childhood. A large padded microfiber changing mat and hard wipes case are included for safe and sanitary diaper changes, while the PVC zip top wet/mess bag preserves your bag’s integrity. $130.00

    Moby Wrap

  • Moby Wrap: Carry your baby easily and comfortably with the Moby Wrap. This wrap is comprised of one long thick piece of fabric that holds your baby’s body to yours. The Moby wraps distributes baby’s weight evenly over the back to reduce strain. With no buckles, snaps or fasteners, the Moby wrap is one of the most cozy baby carries on the market. The Moby wrap is made of 100% natural cotton and is machine washable. $47.99

Planet Wise Wet Bag

  • Planet Wise Wet Bag: Stop wasting plastic bags and save money by using a reusable wet bag. Great for baby-soiled apparel as well as swimsuits, the Planet Wise wet bag is made of all waterproof materials. This bag is so waterproof it will even hold water. Covered with designer fabric, the wet bag looks good and helps minimize hassle. The Planet Wise Wet bag is made in the USA, anti-microbial, and PVC/lead free. $16.50

Episencial Baby Gift Set

  • Episencial Baby Gift Set: Nurture your newborn with this all-inclusive baby pampering kit. This Baby gift set includes bubble bath, lotion, sunscreen, and a copy of Eric Carle’s classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. All the formulas used in baby care items are non-toxic and free of paraben, preservative, and fragrances. Packaging is also BPA free and recyclable.  The Episencial Baby Gift Set was proudly made in the USA.  $24.42

Bella B BodyCare

  • Bella B Tummy Honey Butter: Combat stretch marks with naturally soothing Tummy Honey Butter. This product reduces the appearance of stretch marks and has an anti-itch ingredient for comfort. The mild Cocoa scent is relaxing but not overpowering. The Honey Butter is hypoallergenic, and petroleum/ lanolin free and the packaging is BPA free. $16.99

Planet Wise Nursing Cover

  • Planet Wise Nursing Cover: A nursing cover that is both high quality and high fashion. Made from 100% cotton and designer fabric, this cover will help mommy relax while baby feeds. The neckline allows mommy to watch baby during feeding and the extra fabric on the sides is designed for privacy. A front pocket allows for easy storage and access. The Planet Wise Nursing Cover is made in the USA and comes with a matching storage bag. $24.99

MilkMakers Lactation Cookies

  • Milkmakers: A low milk supply can be frustrating, which is why Milkmakers made this starter pack for those who may need extra help. Read to give you that extra boost, Milkmakers cookies are 100% organic, gluten free, and packed full of flax seed, brewer’s yeast, and oats. Free of preservatives and full of many essential vitamins, fibers and proteins to help new moms maintain a healthy diet after labor. $34.99

California Baby Travel Tote

  • California Baby Travel Tote: Everything you will need for a trip with baby is included in this travel tote. Sunscreens, lotions, shampoos, bubble bath and even arts and crafts products are inside this clear reusable tote.  California Baby products are biodegradable and organic as well as diary free, gluten free and free of soy and oat products to ensure safety for your baby. $24.99

Smart Mom Jewelry Teething Necklace

  • Smart Mom Jewelry Teething Necklace:  This necklace keeps mom looking good, and doubles as a teething ring. With small pieces and sharp points, most jewelry is hazardous for babies. Smart Mom Jewelry is made to safely support baby’s curiosity. The necklaces pendant is beautifully crafted and is able to help sooth baby’s teething pain. Made from medical grade food safe silicone, this necklace is also PVC, BPA, lead, latex and toxin free. The ring will not grow mold or smell so it can continue to be worn even after baby has outgrown their teething stage. This product is Parent Tested and Parent Approved. $18.99

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Using the three R’s during the Holiday Season

 Green Living  1 Response »
Dec 192011
 

 


During the GreenCupboards.com office decorating competition, our team put our heads together to think up new ways to decorate using the guidelines of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Here’s some of fun ways we stayed green.  Feel free to use this as a guide for your own holiday decorating!

 

Magazine pages and a cereal box transformes!

Magazine flower Wreath: Don’t throw away those old magazines!  Reuse each individual page to make a paper flower (or three)!  These flowers can be attached to a round cardboard back (cut from a cereal box) to create a colorful festive holiday wreath.

t-shirt bows!

T-shirt bows: Want to add a vintage flare to your Christmas gifts this year?  Instead of tossing your stained or worn out t-shirts, use them to make creative bows!  Cut old clothes into strips and make them into bows!  Tie them around packages; attach them to garlands and doors!  These vintage bows are a great personal touch to a gift.

recycled paper makes for fantastic snow flurries!

Paper Snowflakes: Forget the snow machine!  Cut snowflake shapes from used papers and hang them up to make your home a wonderland.

popcorn and cranberry garland

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland: Instead of spending holiday cash on fluffy lavish garlands, create your own.  Sit down with the kids or your loved one and spend the afternoon stringing popcorn and cranberries together.

newspaper for wrapping presents!

Newspaper Gift Wrap: Year after year we spend money on wrapping paper just to throw it away on Christmas morning.  This year, save some time and use your money on something more worthwhile!  Old newspaper serves as the perfect wrapping paper.

newspaper ads for a paper chain!

Paper Chain: In need of a fun holiday craft?  Fold old ads and attach loops to make a long chain to hang over your door frame or mantel.

string tree!

Wall-String-Tree: If a tree is what you’re missing, never fear!  You can create a forest of trees with a few tacks and some string.  Tack a line of string in a tree shape on your wall and decorate it however you like!

Happy Holidays!

Green Energy

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Dec 152011
 

Trying to save money and stay warm this Holiday season? GreenCupboards.com employees are trying to keep warm in the office using space heaters and blankets wondering if we’re doing everything we can to optimize our energies potential. These three steps are helping us save some green while getting “greener” as well.  They may do the same for you.

  1. Cover cracks – The first step you can take in making your house more energy efficient this Holiday season is to seek out any crevasses where heat could be escaping. The cracks under doors are notorious for letting the hot air out. By making a door sweep this energy loss can be minimized. A door sweep is a piece of material that is laid at the base of a door, coving the space between the door and the floor. You can purchase a door sweep or make your own by simply folding a blanket or towel and placing it at the bottom of a door.

If you have an attic with pull down stairs, you can better insulate it by placing a blanket over the stairs when you fold it up. It should be a no-brainer, yet also make sure your windows are securely shut.

  1. Turn thermostat down, not off – Turning your thermostat off when you leave is surprisingly not the most energy efficient solution. Rather than turning your thermostat off, turn it down instead. All of the stress from turning the heat on and off can damage your energy system and cause it to break prematurely. When you leave, you should set your heat at 50-60 degrees F and when you come home you shouldn’t crank it all the way up but set it at around 70-80 degrees F.
  1. Help your radiator – Maximize your radiator’s potential by placing heat reflectors against the wall behind your radiator.  By using heat reflectors you can get much more bang for your buck from your radiator’s heat. This technique can also work for people trying to heat a room using a space heater.

Green Cooking

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Dec 122011
 

 

Green Cooking

The Holiday season can bring out some of the best foods that haven’t been tasted since last year. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the kitchen this holiday season then you might just benefit from these tips to keep your kitchen green. The kitchen is infamous for creating unnecessary waste in the form of packaging and left over food. These tips should help you reduce, reuse and recycle as much as you can in the kitchen.

1: Reuse Packaging- Jars and bags that are used to hold food items can often be repurposed after there original use is done. If you don’t already have a re-useable shopping bag you should invest in one or you can simply keep on using the bags that the store gives you. The bags used for fruits and vegetables can certainly be reused as sandwich/ lunch bags. Check out how you can make a snow globe out of your old jars with this GreenCupboards.com video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards?feature=guide#p/u/4/N97t2gPPwX8

2: Compost Waste: If you don’t have a compost bin you should start one either on your own or in your neighborhood. Composting is a great way to not only reduce waste but also create great fertilizer. If you’re a beginner to composting and don’t know where to start this GreenCupboards.com article may be able to help you out: http://www.greencupboards.com/blog/2011/08/09/how-to-compost/

3: Clean Green: Cleaning green is a specialty for GreenCupboards.com. When our company started out we only sold household cleaning items. GreenCupboards.com has since moved on to sell a wider array of products but household cleaning will always be a priority. Did you know that indoor air can often be more polluted than outdoor air thanks to the toxic ingredients used in some cleaning solutions? GreenCupboards.com screens our products ingredients to make sure we’re

providing the greenest clean around. Browse GreenCupboards.com cleaning kitchen page to see for yourself: http://www.greencupboards.com/kitchen/c/

4: Buy Local: Buying local supports your community and reduces pollution by cutting back the amount of distance traveled to get to you. Whenever possible you should strive to buy locally especially for agricultural, meat, and dairy products.

5: Buy Bulk: Buying bulk can save you money and packaging. If you’re lucky enough to live near a Co-op like Winco then this tip can really help you out because you can fill your own bags with exactly how much you need and reduce waste. Just make sure when you’re buying in bulk that you don’t overbuy and have things left unopened when their expiration date rolls around.

I hope these tips have been helpful to those of you will have a full house and busy kitchen this Holiday season.

Image: http://www.theevergreenhome.com/servlet/the-125/organic-green-tea-japanese/Detail

Green Christmas

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Dec 012011
 

Sock Snowman Family

If you’re not fortunate enough to enjoy a white Christmas where you live, at least you can make your Christmas “green”.  You can start your greener Christmas journey with your gselect the perfect, green gift for him or her, check out THEcommunity’s top 10 lists:

For Him: http://www.greencupboards.com/blog/2011/11/23/top-10-green-gifts-for-him/

For Her: http://www.greencupboards.com/blog/2011/11/22/10-christmas-gifts-for-her/

We also have several recycling, energy savings and decorating tips for a greener holiday season.

Wrapping paper is really unnecessary waste.  Few people are concerned with what the gift they have received is wrapped in.  They are much more eager to tear through the paper to see what’s inside.   So, instead of wasting money and paper with store bought wrapping paper; why not recycle old newspapers or grocery bags?

Energy bills during the holiday season are generally much higher than the rest of the year.  This is because of the increased use of heat and lights.  Switching off Christmas lights when you go to bed is not only an energy saver but also prevents any risk of fire.

You can even decorate with burned out light bulbs.  GreenCupboards.com would like to show you how you can recycle your old bulbs into hanging flower vases: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/84/tK9zkFbBzmA

What will you do with all of the family Christmas cards you receive?  If you don’t have room on the fridge to hang them all, and you don’t want to throw them away, you could make a Christmas card wreath.   GreenCupboards.com can show you: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/85/r1QsVXlzADc

If you have some spare socks, string, rice, and a little creativity you could be well on your way to making a holiday craft favorite, sock snowmen.  Check out this GreenCupboards.com video to learn how: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/88/T1NVrj1fU9E

GreenCupboards.com thoroughly enjoys the holiday season and invites you to get involved with our festivities.  Starting this Thursday, December 1st, we will be giving away gifts to celebrate the season.   Keep an eye on GreenCupboards.com on Facebook to learn more.

We hope you have a very green Christmas!

10 Unusual GreenCupboards Products

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Nov 172011
 

GreenCupboards.com offers a wide variety of products ranging from dreadlock kits to electric bikes and wind turbines. Here is a top ten list of GreenCupboards more unusual items:

1: Dreadlock Kit: http://www.greencupboards.com/knotty-boy-dreadlock-maintenance-kit-for-mature-locks-purple-haze-lavender/p/

Getting bored of the “normal” hairdo? Why not try dreads? The Dreadlock kit includes everything you will need to maintain your dreads: gel, shampoo, deodorizing spray, and scalp tonic.

2: Robomow: http://www.greencupboards.com/robomow-rl-2000-robomow/p/

Tired of mowing your lawn? Why not have a robot do it for you? Robomow will mow your lawn for you so you can sit back and relax with a lemonade. Robomow can mow lawns up to 17,200 square feet and the mulch produced is a great fertilizer.

3: Obama Air Force 1: http://www.greencupboards.com/holgate-toys-air-force-one-obama/p/

A soon to be collectors item this wood Air Force One celebrates the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. This wood airplane is complete with a silkscreened image of our president on the tail.

4: Miniature Ecosystem: http://www.greencupboards.com/blueiq-miniature-ecosystem/p/

Want a fancy new addition to your home office or possibly dorm room? The GreenCupboards.com ecosystem may be just what you need. The ecosystem is not only aesthetically pleasing but also educational as you can see on a small scale how real life ecosystems work. This miniature ecosystem includes shrimp, snails, plants and substrate.

5: Electric Bike: http://www.greencupboards.com/currie-tech-women-s-trailz-electric-bike-red/p/

Need a little help up the hill? Try using an electric bike. These bikes have motors, which can give you a little boost when you need it, but leave you with the option to turn it off when you don’t.

6: Sun Oven: http://www.greencupboards.com/sun-oven-global-sun-oven/p/

The sun is the most enjoyable of all the known renewable cooking fuels. It rises every morning and is free. Sun Ovens enable the sun to bake, boil and steam a wide variety of food while enhancing the taste and benefiting the environment.

7: Pool Cleaner: http://www.greencupboards.com/floatron-natural-pool-cleaner-algae-free-no-chemicals/p/

Have do you have a pool in sunlight? If yes, then you might be interested in using the Floatron a solar powered pool cleaner. Floatron can clean a pool of up to 40,000 gallons and it does it without chemicals. Floatron cleans your pool using mineral ions.

8: Sea Scooter: http://www.greencupboards.com/x-treme-scooters-x-160-dual-speed-electric-sea-scooter/p/

There is no need to swim with the Sea Scooter, just grab on and hold tight. The Sea Scooter can dive down 100 feet. Sea Scooter is the only underwater scooter with an all metal gearing system so it is built to last.

9: Wind Turbine: http://www.greencupboards.com/sunforce-whisper-100-900-watts/p/

Interested in harnessing your own power? How about a wind turbine? Carbon fiber blades allow for a low noise-generating machine.

10: Salt Water Fuel Cell Car: http://www.greencupboards.com/owi-salt-water-fuel-cell-car/p/

Just for fun, the Salt Water Fuel Cell Car is powered by nothing other than saltwater. A great toy for kids learning about alternative energy sources. This car can drive for over 5 hours without needing to refuel.

 

Green Students

 Green Living  No Responses »
Nov 092011
 

A Dorm Poster

Trying to stay green in the dorm room? GreenCupboards.com has many college students on staff that strive for greenness while living on campus. At Whitworth University students are constantly reminded to be on their greenest behavior via posters and emails. One such poster says “Cold? Don’t wear shorts.” reminding students to bundle up before turning up the heat.

Majority of the GreenCupboards.com students attend either Whitworth or Gonzaga Universities.

Here are some things the Whitworth and Gonzaga dorms are doing to stay green:

Recycling bins in every dorm room

Composting bins in the cafeteria

Compostable napkins and to-go boxes

At Gonzaga’s Kennedy Apartments the windows are doubled pained to keep the heat in and the heat lamps in the bathrooms are on timers.

Whitworth’s Stewart dorm has been updated with motion sensor lights in some of the rooms to conserve energy.

As much as dorm construction can do to conserve, much of the responsibility is put on the students to keep up with energy efficiency and overall greenness. Students at Whitworth are responsible for sorting their own recycling. The compostable napkins and to-go boxes are not fully utilized unless they are actually composted. Simple things such as remembering to turn of the lights and limiting shower time can also make a big difference. Things such as paying bills, and turning in papers electronically can reduce the amount of paper used and thus help the universities go green. And before you turn up the heat, make sure you’re not wearing shorts.

If there are any special green initiatives your school is taking, please feel free to email me at CreativeCave@GreenCupboards.com.

Project Green School

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Oct 112011
 

Modern Classroom

In the wake of Steve Jobs death, messages of inspiration have been spiraling through the web.  An influential member of society and major contributor to the past and future of technology, Jobs lived an inspired life.  Personally, inspired by this great man, I wanted to find what other great members of humanity are doing in the name of sustainable innovation and inspiration.

The man who stood out among others is John Hardy, the founder of the Green School inBali, Indonesia. Originally known for success in business, this owner and designer of a Balinese jewelry line decided that he would use his business success to start a school.  Inspired from the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”,   Hardy contemplated the idea that his world is deteriorating and that his children and grandchildren may not be exposed to the wonders of nature as he experienced them.  Disturbed by this fact, he moved into action.

In efforts to truly make a change for the next generation, Hardy and his wife, Cynthia, began a project to start a school that was solely focused on creating a “whole” person.  As Hardy says, “we practice whole-ism, and for me it’s just the idea that if this little girl graduates as a whole person the chances are she’ll demand a whole world in which to live”.

To do this the Green School teaches reading, writing, arithmetic, along with bamboo building, gardening and Balinese arts.  This school has no walls, which allow for natural light classrooms.  It teaches children through observation and interaction with nature, and Hardy believes one of the most important lessons is that the world is not indestructible. In its third year, the Green School has 160 students, and 20% are from local Bali.

With a concern for the loss of forests and global water issues, Green School is made from sustainable, local bamboo.  The school is one of the largest bamboo buildings in the world and Hardy has incorporated the practice of using bamboo infrastructure into many of the locations for designers of his jewelry line.  The facilities lie on 20 acres, next to a river, and surrounded by gardens where children learn to take care of and produce their own food.

John Hardy’s school is becoming a model for sustainable efforts internationally and his influence and passion for sustainability is being passed down to his students.  Greencupboards.com tips our hat to this man who accepted the challenge to change the world, and started locally.

 

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/john_hardy_my_green_school_dream.html

http://www.greenschool.org/

http://www.johnhardy.com/women/featured&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=john%20hardy%20alone&utm_term=john%20hardy?utm_nooverride=1

http://www.thesourceasia.com/index.php/mind/227-cynthia-and-john-hardys-green-school

Images:

http://www.alternative-learning.org/?paged=2

http://www.thesourceasia.com/index.php/mind/227-cynthia-and-john-hardys-green-school

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